Valiant

Runaway Valerie is homeless in New York City and squatting on an abandoned subway platform. Her living situation is utterly safe compared to her entanglements in the mysterious murders of faeries and her involvement in a burgeoning romance with a fey healer who considers himself a monster. Renee Raudman gives a laudable performance on many counts. Her vocal variations go beyond differentiating gender to make aural distinctions between supernatural and human characters. Raudman's huskiness enhances the darkness and mystery that permeate the story. Her even pacing, clarity, and character distinctions are crucial to help listeners navigate the complexity of the murders and fey politics. J.M.S. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

August 21, 2006
What makes Black's books so appealing to young adult readers is their well-balanced mix of reality (including a healthy dose of sex), high-concept fantasy and old-fashioned mystery. Raudman's expert reading of Black's second book in what the author calls the Faerie series catches that delicate blend very well, giving equal weight and credibility to characters who are definitely human (like heroine Valerie, her dismal school mates, her tacky family and the sad young derelicts she meets in the subway tunnels of New York) and those who are from another world entirely—like the golden-eyed troll Ravus, who delivers a drug that heals faeries but kills the human runaways who steal it, looking for a way to improve their desperate condition. Raudman, whom listeners might recognize as several of the younger voices on The Simpsons
, has a universally appealing voice likely to please hardcore fantasy fans and neophytes alike. Ages 14-up.